If the restaurant lines feel long today, there is another Veterans Day plan about a half-hour north of Baton Rouge. Port Hudson State Historic Site, at 236 Hwy. 61 in Jackson, is open today. Louisiana State Parks lists daily hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and its posted closures are Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, not Veterans Day.

Regular admission is $6 for ages 7 to 61, $4 for seniors 62 and older, and free for children 6 and under. Active-duty military personnel and one immediate family member receive a 50 percent discount on day-use entry to a state park, historic site or world heritage site by showing a current, valid military photo ID.

Disabled veterans, and anyone riding with them in a single private vehicle, get free admission to all Louisiana State Parks sites with a State Park Permit. That permit is not handed out at the gate. Eligible veterans apply through their local parish veterans service office, so bring the permit if you already have one.

The same military discounts apply at other nearby parks if you would rather walk a trail than a battlefield. Tickfaw State Park in Springfield is one official option. For an overnight stay, Louisiana State Parks also offers a MILITARY discount code: 15 percent off rentable facilities any day of the week for active duty and retired military, National Guard and reservists. The code is entered at reservelastateparks.com.

Port Hudson is a National Historic Landmark with a museum and about six miles of trails through Civil War earthworks. Louisiana State Parks calls the 1863 siege the longest in American military history. Call (225) 654-3775 if you have questions about hours or which ID or permit to bring.

It is a quieter way to spend Veterans Day, and the military discounts are official year-round, not just for Nov. 11.